Human Services

You're invited to a Bowl of Rice Party

By NMAH, May 30, 2018
A blue and yellow banner that reads "Please give your help" and "Bowl of Rice, Feb. 9, 10, 11,1940-S.F. Chinatown"

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An image of a violet fraternal collar--opulently decorated with golden embroidery and a hand painted eye
Making money and doing good: The story of an African American power couple from the 1800s
Artists have long been major players in American philanthropy. If that surprises you to learn, you might be further surprised to learn that...
A sepia photograph of a woman with dark coiffed hair in a military-style shirt. She is smiling.
Alice Tetsuko Kono: Wise, well-traveled, WAC
Museum Specialist Noriko Sanefuji and Curator Katherine Ott invited students in Dr. Samuel J. Redman's Museum and Historic Site...
A white china teacup and saucer sit against a black background. The saucer and the cup have different European flags and the US flag on them, and all of the edges are lined with gold
A tea set for war relief: Liberty China and Queen’s Ware in World War I
"When our country entered the Great War I decided to have this chapter in our history commemorated by a patriotic china, to be made by a...

Madam C. J. Walker’s philanthropy

By NMAH, March 26, 2018
Portrait of Madam C. J. Walker, taken in 1915

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Portrait of Marjorie Stewart Joyner
Making waves: Beauty salons and the black freedom struggle
Born in 1896 in the tiny Appalachian hamlet of Monterey, Virginia, Marjorie Stewart grew up in extreme poverty. Of her 12 brothers and...
Picture of Harold Cotton, Hat Blocker by Harvey Wang. Harold Cotton cleans a fedora with a brush. A group of hat blocks sit in the foreground, and Cotton's diploma hangs on the wall behind him.
Freedom's tally: An African American business in the Jim Crow South
At 15 years old, Harold Cotton tucked his shoe shine box under his arm and walked to Jefferson Square in downtown Greensboro, North...
Printed portrait of Elizabeth Keckley included in her autobiography "Behind the Scenes"
Elizabeth Keckley: Businesswoman and philanthropist
This month, we've been exploring how American women made their place in the marketplace by participating in business and consumption....

Showing support for the Great War with knitting needles

By NMAH, November 6, 2017
Poster with "You can help" and "American Red Cross." Imagine in pencil line drawing of a woman knitting. She sits in a chair, looking at her work.

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(Detail image) Black and white photo of an African American man in military uniform. His arms are gently crossed, a watch o his wrist. His head is slightly tilted to the right, with a serious but gentle look on his face. The uniform has pockets, buttons, and a fairly high collar.
Over There: A Buffalo Soldier in World War I
Offered in celebration of Black History Month and in recognition of the 100th anniversary of America's participation in World War I, the...
Black and white ad with photo of woman in dress with polka dots and umbrella with polka dots. Text: "Silks that express the spirit of sport."
Keeping Khaki-Kool during World War I
Next in our World War I series this month, a look at what we now consider a go-to, neutral fabric for almost any season.In 1915 American...
Black and white photo of women in uniforms (pants, ties, hats, boots) lined up looking at a woman who appears to be in charge.
From satin to khaki: Women join the Military Preparedness Movement of 1916
6:00 a.m. June 16, 1916. Nestled in the Ramapo Mountains of Passaic County, New Jersey, lay an orderly row of cream-colored tents. At the...

I say "Always Ready." You say "Semper Paratus."

By NMAH, September 2, 2016
An illustration showing a cluster of figures. Neptune rides some sort of chariot pulled by four horse, with sea nymphs surrounding him and a cupid flying in the air. The scene is framed by pink ribbons saying "Neptune Hose Co. Instituted August 6, 1805 and banners reading "To save out fellows we hazard ourselves"

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Horse hoof cauterized and preserved with a coat of shiny black enamel
The hoof of fire horse number 12
In the early morning hours of March 30, 1890, in Washington, D.C., the collision of two horse-drawn fire wagons racing to answer an alarm...
Five cool facts about our new Philadelphia-style fire engine
When a new object goes on display, we get excited. Intern Hannah Ostroff gives a behind the scenes look at the installation of our 19th-...
Lithograph of city on fire, boats in harbor
Fire Prevention Week: a hot idea
All of the objects in the collections of the National Museum of American History are interesting and important in their own way, but few...

Elizabeth Keckley: Businesswoman and philanthropist

By NMAH, March 21, 2016
Printed portrait of Elizabeth Keckley included in her autobiography "Behind the Scenes"

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Hat with portrait of Benjamin Franklin
Was Benjamin Franklin the father of American philanthropy?
Benjamin Franklin's reputation for invention and inventiveness looms large in our national imagination: Franklin stoves, Poor Richard's...
Portrait of Caroline Jones at the start of her career as an advertising executive
Caroline R. Jones: Trailblazing adwoman
A fedora, Lucky Strike cigarettes, and a set of cocktail-ready tumblers: all the hallmarks of a 1960s ad agency were on display Thursday...
Lincoln's hat
A closer look at President Lincoln's silk hat
April 15 marks the 150th anniversary of the death of Abraham Lincoln. Across the country, there will be numerous remembrances and...

Fire Prevention Week: a hot idea

By NMAH, October 10, 2012
Lithograph of city on fire, boats in harbor

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Horse hoof cauterized and preserved with a coat of shiny black enamel
The hoof of fire horse number 12
In the early morning hours of March 30, 1890, in Washington, D.C., the collision of two horse-drawn fire wagons racing to answer an alarm...
Five cool facts about our new Philadelphia-style fire engine
When a new object goes on display, we get excited. Intern Hannah Ostroff gives a behind the scenes look at the installation of our 19th-...
Police badge
Police in history and Hollywood
Two curators share interesting law enforcement-related artifacts in their collections, inspired by National Police Week.Curator Eric...